The Miss Maine USA beauty pageant, set to begin May 10th in Portland, is poised to become a focal point for a deeply divisive issue impacting the state. The competition will feature two compelling contestants: Jordon Hudson, Bill Belichick’s girlfriend, and Isabelle St. Cyr, an openly transgender model making history as the first trans contestant in the pageant’s history.
Hudson, who was first runner-up in last year’s contest, is emphasizing her connection to Maine’s fishing heritage. As she stated on Instagram:
“As the daughter of displaced fishermen, I care to use my voice to protect the fleeting tradition and heritage of Maine fishing families, to prevent others from going through the same plight as what mine had to go through.”
St. Cyr’s journey is equally inspiring. Overcoming significant obstacles in her past, she shared on Facebook:
“When I started cheerleading I had all the odds stacked against me. So much pushback, so many people telling me it wasn’t a space for me. But I fought for what I loved and I ended up being a very successful cheerleader, winning state and national titles and inspiring people to join even if they hadn’t been doing it their whole life. I sense a similar trajectory in my ongoing journey with pageants. I believe I have everything it takes to be Miss Maine USA and I know that no amount of experience can match a true passion and drive to accomplish something.”
The pageant arrives amidst a contentious backdrop of political conflict in Maine regarding the inclusion of transgender athletes in women’s and girls’ sports.
Here’s a summary of the situation:
* **State vs. Federal:** Governor Janet Mills and state education officials have actively supported trans inclusion, facing intense pressure from the federal government.
* **Legal Battles:** The Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against Maine over its policies, while the state responded with its own lawsuit regarding a funding freeze imposed by the USDA. A federal judge subsequently ordered the unfreezing of those funds.
* **Public Opposition:** A significant portion of Maine residents have voiced strong opposition to Mills and Democratic leadership on this matter, leading to rallies and heated debates throughout the state.
* **Personal Stories:** The controversy has deeply affected individuals like Nick Blanchard, whose attempt to discuss the issue at a school board meeting resulted in being cut off, prompting him to launch a petition. High schooler Cassidie Carlisle traveled to Washington D.C. to express her concerns after losing competitions to trans athletes and experiencing shared locker room situations in middle school.
St. Cyr entered the pageant prior to Donald Trump’s inauguration and before the issue of transgender athletes gained prominence within Maine, demonstrating that her participation was not a deliberate attempt to spark controversy. The presence of Hudson, and potentially Belichick, is expected to draw even greater national attention to this year’s competition.
